We Create Jobs & Opportunities The Problem Mass incarceration - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

We Create Jobs & Opportunities

The Problem

• Mass incarceration is a human rights issue impacting
• ver 2.3 million adults and youth along with families and

victims.

– 1 in 106 white males have convictions – 1 in 36 Hispanic males – 1 in 16 black males

The Problem

• Over 70 million people have convictions.
• Lifetime likelihood of imprisonment of males born after

2001.

– 1 in 17 white males – 1 in 6 Hispanic males – 1 in 3 black males

The Problem

• Cost per incarcerated person 2017: $20,925
• Average stay is 5 years: $104,625
• SCDC 2017 count: 21,135 (22 facilities)
• Yearly cost to operate total = $442,249,875

The Problem

• There are 48,000 laws and statutes, often called

collateral consequences, that continue to punish people with records AFTER their sentence is over.

• Realities of Re-entry:
• Fines
• Lack of Transportation
• Homelessness
• No positive support network
• Minimal job opportunities i.e. occupational licenses
• Over 60% of people remain unemployed a year after

release.

People First Language

“ The first struggle is the one w aged w ithin our ow n m inds”

– George Jackson

“ We believe w e have the right to be called by a nam e w e choose, rather than one som eone else decides to use. We think that by insisting on being called “ people” w e reaffirm our right to be recognized as hum an beings, not anim als, inm ates, prisoners or

• ffenders.”

– Eddie Ellis

• Dehumanizing:

– Ex-felon, convict, inmate, prisoner, con, ex-offender, felon, lifer.

• Humanizing:

– Formerly Incarcerated Person, Person with a criminal record, Returning Citizen/Neighbor.

Thriving Communities Impacted Communities Barriers to Re‐Entry Community & Economic Development Incarcerated

The Solution

Purpose: To eliminate the impacts of cultural, social, economic & racial isolation The Solution: CED/CDC

Soteria Vision

• Business Development and Ownership that is fully functional

through the ministry –

Deconstruction Company (Soteria at Work) – Reclaimed Furniture Business – Real Estate Development

• Low to moderate income housing and new home development
• Relapse prevention counseling
• Continuing education, GED or technical training
• Mentoring
• Financial counseling through proper budgeting and debt

management

• Mobilize previous incarcerated to advocate

Making a difference in our community

Soteria House

• Safe, Quality Transitional Housing
• Mentoring
• Job Placement
• Life Skills

Making a difference in our community

• Transitional Homes

– 16 Bed Transitional Facility

• Rental Homes

– 14 low income rentals – 5 vacant lots for future development

Soteria House

• Requirements as a Resident | All Soteria House residents are required to

follow a basic set of rules as follow s: – Regular meetings with an appointed mentor – Attend a weekly church service – Financial budgets and planning – Attend daily devotions and journaling – Maintain employment and or education – Attain proper ID’s, drivers license

• Graduation | When a resident has m et the requirem ents of the program directors,

he w ill be eligible for certain aid from Soteria such as: – Permanent housing – Furniture – Household supplies for independent living

Keys to Re-entry

• Pre-Release Plan
• Community Support
• Employment
• Safe Housing

Rental Property | “Green” Affordable Rental

• Vance Street Project

We received grant funds to build six 3-bedroom 2-bath hom es for low to m oderate-incom e fam ilies. Sherry and Dick Dennison donated this property. We collaborated w ith the City of Greenville and the Upstate Hom eless Coalition to rebuild this w hole com m unity.

Rental Property | “Green” Affordable Rental

• Vance Street Revitalization Plan

– Touching the Community at Large – Non-profit Sustainability

The Village at Vance

• Before & After

Miller Street Project

• Before & After

Miller Street Project

• Before & After

Miller Street Project

• Before & After

Recycling

• Neighborhood beautification and recycling business
• Pick up recyclable from apartments in city and Greenville

county school district

• Become environmentally friendly
• Create jobs for interns
• Revenue from recycling goes back to CDC

Job Creation

• We have created 12 jobs for

interns

• Opportunity to learn and apply

new skills

• Make a difference in the

community

Creation of Revenue

• Received grant funds to start social

enterprise

• Sale of recyclable materials
• Contracts with local businesses
• Consulting

Deconstruction Deconstruction is the practice of disassembling a building in

• rder to salvage materials (joists, flooring, siding, fixtures,

etc.) that can be reused for new construction, rehab or furniture.

Deconstruction

Deconstruction

Deconstruction

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

Reclaimed Wood Furniture

Deconstruction

• Created 60 jobs for formerly incarcerated men
• Diverted over 31000 bd. ft. of lumber from landfill
• Recycled or reused 714 tons of brick and concrete
• $250,000 in revenue

Your neighbor, a father, a husband I am a Man

Contact Info Pastor Jerry Blassingame

864-272-0681 jblassingame@soteriacdc.org www.soteriacdc.org www.soteriaatwork.org